Two problems related to check engine light on have been reported for the 2015 Subaru Forester. The most recently reported issues are listed below. Please also check out the statistics and reliability analysis of the 2015 Subaru Forester based on all problems reported for the 2015 Forester.
While driving normal speeds, the car's check engine light came on. I scanned the code, the car is getting a p0016 code, and the car has a rough idle. The wilsonville Subaru dealer has said that a new ecm and cam sprocket needs to be replaced in order for this issue to be fixed. The issue seems to be a factory defect with the cam sprocket, "coming apart" and causing the engine to lose timing. This seems to be a common issue people are having online with this engine as well. Anad, apparently the issue will come back if the ecm isn't replaced as the ecm "hard codes" the error in the computer and it wont go away unless replaced. Making the issue unresolvable outside of drivetrain warranty without Subaru's assistance. Subaru is refusing to do the repairs.
What has been happening is I will be driving down the road (does not matter how fast I am going) and all of a sudden all the lights come on and I lose acceleration and control of vehicle. Each time it has been towed to Subaru they cannot recreate the problem so it cannot be fixed. This last time I was on a very busy road going about 55 mph and all of a sudden again my check engine lights etc came on and I lost acceleration and power. I quickly checked my rearview mirror to make sure no one was too close behind me. It was very scary and I was able to coast and abruptly turn into an enterprise rental. I was lucky I was not hit from behind or have my kids in car. This last time too when the tow truck arrived the car would not turn on. I am now completely uncomfortable driving a car that consistently has had the same issue that no one can fix.